Author: abdulnasser eisa

As part of the programs and activities of the Mediterranean Waterbirds Network (Med-Waterbirds Network), and with support from the AFD and FEEM projects, Ms. Sara Elwheshi, a member of the Libyan Society for Birds and a student in the Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science – University of Tripoli, was nominated to participate in a training course on waterbird identification and census organized by the AAO/Birdlife in Tunisia, held from 20 to 31 January 2022.

The course included trainees from several countries, including Libya. This was not the first time a Libyan participant was nominated; the Libyan Society for Birds has previously nominated several trainees from state institutions and civil society organizations.

The program featured field visits to various wetlands in Tunisia to familiarize participants with different species, in addition to conducting the Winter Waterbird Census. The course also included theoretical training on counting and estimation methods, reading leg bands on certain birds, and other important scientific information.

The activities involved a group of bird enthusiasts and experts, along with professional trainers from Tunisia and France.

The Libyan Society for Birds extends its gratitude to the AAO/Birdlife in Tunisia for excellent organization and supervision, and to the Mediterranean Waterbirds Network for financial support that contributed to the success of this training course.

As part of the Winter Survey of Migratory Waterbirds in Libya, a team from the Libyan Society for Birds conducted a field visit on 28 January 2022 to several reservoirs. The survey targeted the following sites: Wadi Almjenin dam, Wadi Ghan dam, Wadi Zaret dam, and Ain Taghneet.

The survey activities involved participation from:

• Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, University of Tripoli.
• Ministry of Environment.
• Alhaya Organization for Protection of Wildlife and Marine Organisms – Gharyan Branch.
• National Research Center for Tropical and Transboundary Diseases.

The Libyan Society for Birds extends its sincere thanks and appreciation to all participants for their active contribution to the success of the 2022 Winter Survey of Migratory Waterbirds.

After several years of interruption in the winter survey of migratory waterbirds in the eastern region of Libya, a team from the Libyan Society for Birds successfully completed the winter survey of all wetlands in eastern Libya during the period from 20 to 24 January 2022.

The survey covered the following wetlands:
Wadi Alhamsa (east of Derna), Wadi Alkhabta (Derna), Wadi Al-Naqa, Sabkhat Al-Tamimi, Sabkhat Um Hafain, Khalij Bomba, Alqsebaia, Gulf and Port of Tobruk, Ain Alghazala, Ayn Zayyanah (Benghazi), Ain Alshaghigha, Ain Azzargha, Boudzira area (Benghazi), 23 July Lake (Benghazi), Shatt Benghazi (Al-Sabri), Sabkhat Ras Al-Minqar, Sabkhat Al-Thama, Sabkhat Karkurah (Al-Maqrun), Sabkha Al-Burayqah, Julyanah Lake, Sabkhat Qanfudhah, and Al-Marj.

The survey was conducted with the participation of:

• Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, University of Tripoli.
• Alhaya Organization for Protection of Wildlife and Marine Organisms.
• Ministry of Environment.
• Environmental Affairs Office – Derna.
• Environmental Affairs Office – Benghazi.
• National Research Center for Tropical and Transboundary Diseases.

The Libyan Society for Birds extends its sincere thanks to all participants for their valuable contribution to the success of the National Winter Survey of Waterbirds – January 2022.

The team of the Libyan Society for Birds continued the annual Winter Survey of Waterbirds in the central region of Libya. During 17–18 January 2022, the survey covered Al-Hisha Protected Area and sites in the city of Sirte, including the following locations: Sabkhat Sultan, Sabkhat Abumariem, Sirt Port, and Al-Qardabia Reservoir.

The survey involved participation from:

• Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, University of Tripoli.
• Ministry of Environment.
• Libyan Organization for Conservation of Nature.
• Amwaj Society for Environmental Protection.
• National Research Center for Tropical and Transboundary Diseases.

The Libyan Society for Birds extends its sincere thanks and appreciation to all participants for their active contribution to the success of the Winter Survey of Migratory Waterbirds.

The team of the Libyan Society for Birds continued its field activities as part of the 2022 Winter Survey of Migratory Waterbirds. During 15–16 January 2022, the survey covered several environmentally important sites in the city of Misrata, including: Al-Kararem, Assinaya Area, Misrata Port, Sabkhat Qaser Ahmed, Zureiq, Misrata treatment plant, Wadi Sasso, as well as the wetlands in the Tawergha area.

The survey involved participation from:

• Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, University of Tripoli.
• Libyan Organization for Conservation of Nature.
• Ministry of Environment.

Despite the cold weather and rainy conditions during the survey period, the team successfully completed the fieldwork and recorded numerous waterbird and terrestrial bird species.

The Libyan Society for Birds expresses its gratitude to all participants for their outstanding efforts.

Within the framework of the Winter Waterbird Census Program 2022, the team of the Libyan Society for Birds conducted a field survey on Friday, 14 January 2022, covering several important sites in Al-Khums and Zliten: Kahaf Dakhil, Ain Kaam, Wadi Kaam Dam, Zliten treatment plant, Zliten Port, and Al-Khums Port.

The census was carried out in collaboration with:

• Libyan Organization for Conservation of Nature.
• Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science – University of Tripoli.
• Ministry of Environment.
• National Research Center for Tropical and Transboundary Diseases.

The survey was successfully completed, recording a significant diversity and abundance of waterbirds.

The Society extends its sincere thanks and appreciation to all partners for their valuable contribution to the success of this fieldwork.

On Monday, 10 January 2022, the team of the Libyan Society for Birds began implementing the annual Winter Survey of Waterbirds, starting in the city of Zwarah. The fieldwork continued for three consecutive days, covering several important sites: Sabkhat and Beach of Abu Kamash, Farwa Island, Sabkhet Kattofa, Sabkhet Almanqoub, Zwarah Port, and Sabkhet Mellita.

The survey involved participation from:

• Bessida Society for the Protection of Farwa Island and Lake.
• Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, University of Tripoli.
• Ministry of Environment.
• National Research Center for Tropical and Transboundary Diseases.

Despite the cold and rainy weather, the team carried out outstanding fieldwork that yielded valuable results.

The Libyan Society for Birds extends its sincere thanks to BESIDA Association for their warm hospitality and cooperation.

As part of its field activities, a team from the Libyan Society for Birds, in collaboration with the Department of Zoology – Faculty of Science, University of Tripoli, participated on Thursday, 9 December 2021, in a field trip to the Annagaza and Wadi Turghat (Gharabolli).

The trip focused on raising awareness about the region’s biodiversity, highlighting both terrestrial and waterbird species at the study sites, while also enhancing the practical field knowledge of participating students and encouraging them to engage in applied scientific research.

The regional report on raptors in North Africa has been recently released, addressing the conservation status of these birds and the distribution of their nesting sites across the region.

This report is the outcome of the efforts of 34 experts from Mediterranean countries, during a meeting held in Tunisia in February 2020. Libya contributed to this scientific work through the Libyan Society for Birds and the Alhaya Organization for Protection of Wildlife and Marine Organisms in Derna.

To view the full report, please follow the link below:

https://portals.iucn.org/library/node/49778?fbclid=IwY2xjawMlp4hleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHvI-H_WRv5BIUEwjnlUjeQNnlumcM12MG6BGhTqZ8u95CAbMm_ECH2Rf9sXC_aem_qKu9U5pGMJGFssu-3pXuWg

Continuing its activities, the Libyan Society for Birds, in collaboration with the Department of Zoology – University of Tripoli, conducted a field visit on Thursday, 25 November 2021, covering Wadi Ghan dam and Boughelan Reserve.

The field trip aimed to familiarize students with natural habitats and to monitor waterbird and terrestrial bird species in the visited areas, as part of efforts to enhance practical knowledge and encourage student participation in environmental monitoring activities.